KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has detained 13 individuals, including a serving director and a former director of a government agency in northern Malaysia, on suspicion of soliciting and accepting about RM2.5 million in bribes.
In a statement today, the MACC's Strategic Communications Division said the alleged bribes were paid to secure the appointment of companies controlled by cartel agents to monopolise direct-award and quotation-based projects at the agency.
The suspects, comprising 10 men and three women aged between 30 and their 60s, were detained between 8 pm and 11 pm last Monday after giving their statements at the MACC office in Perak.
Of the 13 suspects, eight are civil servants, while the remaining five are members of the public and company owners.
“Two of the civil servants and a company director are being held for two days until today, while the other 10 suspects are being held for five days until June 20, after Magistrate Anis Hanini Abdullah approved the MACC's remand order application at the Ipoh Magistrate's Court yesterday morning,” the statement read.
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MACC-DETAIN 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly conspired in the scheme between 2024 and 2026.
“Investigations revealed that the detained contractors claimed they were required to pay bribes of between 10 and 15 per cent to intermediaries, who would then pass the money to the serving and former directors of the agency,” the statement read.
Last Monday, the MACC Investigation Division launched Op Drain across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang and Perak to dismantle the so-called procurement cartel, during which 25 locations were raided, including homes, offices and government premises.
The raids led to the seizure of about RM1.5 million in cash, a luxury watch, two vehicles, a high-powered motorcycle and jewellery worth about RM1 million.
The case is being investigated under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009.
-- BERNAMA
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